Hertz began experimenting with Ruhmkorff coils and Leyden jars to generate high-frequency electrical oscillations. He noticed unexpected sparks jumping across a gap in a nearby wire loop, suggesting the presence of some kind of radiation.

Hertz designed and built a more sophisticated apparatus, including a spark-gap transmitter (the Hertzian dipole antenna) and a loop antenna receiver. This allowed him to generate and detect electromagnetic waves more efficiently.

Hertz meticulously conducted experiments to demonstrate that the radiation he was generating exhibited properties consistent with Maxwell's predictions for electromagnetic waves. He measured the wavelength and velocity of the waves, demonstrating that they traveled at the speed of light. He also showed that the waves could be reflected, refracted, and polarized, further confirming their wave nature.

Hertz published his groundbreaking findings in a series of papers, culminating in the publication of 'On Electromagnetic Effects Produced by Electrical Disturbances in Insulators.' These papers provided compelling experimental evidence for the existence of electromagnetic waves and validated Maxwell's electromagnetic theory. This publication marks the formal discovery and verification of radio waves.

Following the initial discovery, Hertz continued to refine his experiments and disseminate his results to the wider scientific community. He presented his findings at scientific conferences and published further articles, solidifying his place as a pioneer in the field of electromagnetism. He meticulously documented his experimental setups and procedures, allowing other scientists to replicate his results.